When you are in New York with your family, whether you are a local or visiting from out of town, the Statue of Liberty is a must-see on your to-do list.
Statue of Liberty is a national treasure and has been recognized as a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. It is located on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, and there is also Ellis Island that is home to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum that was once the largest immigration station that received over 12 million immigrants over the years.
Top 3 Tips to Visit Statue of Liberty with Kids
The Statue of Liberty is a great place to visit when you are traveling with your family and your kids, it is a place rich with history and facts about the importance of this iconic monuments.
If you have any doubts about the Statue of Liberty solve them here. Also, we want to share with you some great tips that will make the best of your family trip to Liberty Island & Ellis Island.
1. Hot to Get Ready for Your Trip
It takes at least half a day to visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. So you need to be prepared with enough food and snack to maintain the energy, you can also get food on both islands, and they have good places to enjoy a nice picnic or have a snack outdoors.
It is also important to remember that it is an outdoor activity, so you need to dress accordingly to the current weather conditions. Usually, it is a bit colder on the ferry than on the islands, and don't forget to apply sunscreen and wear hats.
Please note that to board the ferry you will go through airport-like security beforehand and if you will go inside the Statue of Liberty as well.
2. Pick the Right Ticket: Grounds, Pedestal or Crown
To actually get to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island it is necessary to book a round trip ferry ticket that will grant you access to both Liberty Island and Ellis Island.
There are three ticket options to visit Lady Liberty up close: grounds ticket, pedestal ticket and crown ticket. Each one of these will give you different levels of access on your trip.
Grounds Ticket
Grounds Ticket is the standard ticket that is widely available all the year-round to visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. It includes the round trip ferry ride and a complimentary audio guide tour of each island.
You will also be able to enter the Statue of Liberty Museum that holds the original torch on display and a full-sized copper replica of the face as well.
There also other interactive galleries were you can even enjoy a fly-through of the Statue without actually climb it, and a brief explanation of the design and construction.
You can also visit the Ellis Island Immigration Museum free of charge and learn about the immigrants' history, and have an idea of how they felt when they arrived years ago. There is also a museum adapted for kids within the Ellis Island Immigration Museum.
If you are planning your trip with small kids and/or a large party of visitors, we recommend that you select this ticket option to fully enjoy the trip and avoid waiting lines to go up to the pedestal or the crown. And you still get to enjoy a beautiful view of the New York City skyline.
Pedestal Ticket
Pedestal Ticket is a ticket that will allow you access inside the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. Pedestal tickets have daily limited availability and are usually booked up to months in advance.
It also includes the round trip ferry to both Liberty Island and Ellis Island, and complimentary audio as well for each island. To go into the pedestal you may need to wait in line, depending on the time you get there.
Once inside you will have to climb 192 steps to get to the highest point of the pedestal, so keep in mind that if you want to walk up the stairs you should be in proper condition to so. However, there is an elevator within the pedestal but you may also have to wait to go up the pedestal and find your way to the observation deck.
With the Pedestal Ticket you will also have free entrance to the Statue of Liberty Museum on Liberty Island, and also to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum were you can learn all about the importance of when the station was functional and what it meant back in the day.
If you are travelling with kids and/or a large party you may want to think about how much you really want to go up to the pedestal, because it could mean a lot of time standing and the children may get fussy while you wait in line.
Crown Ticket
Crown Ticket is the most limited ticket of all the options, about 500. It will allow you access to the top of the Statue of Liberty, meaning the crown. It is a small space that will give you a breathtaking view of New York City.
This ticket also includes the round trip ferry ride to go to Liberty Island and Ellis Island. You can visit the Statue of Liberty Museum on Liberty Island and the Ellis Island Immigration Museum on Ellis Island with free access.
To go up the crown you may have to wait in line depending on the time you arrive to the island. There is a minimum height required to go up to the crown of 1,2 meters of 4 feet high, and there is no elevator to get to the crown.
You have to climb 162 to go up the stairs, so it is not accessible for people with mobility issues and small children.
It is important to keep in mind these requirements when you are planning your trip to visit the crown Statue of Liberty with your family.
3. Remember to Have Fun!
For every trip, the key is to always have fun. And to have the best time of your life it is important to be informed and have all the information necessary to make the best decision for your visit.
Tip: Check out other things to do in the U.S. here.
Andrzej believes life to be a never ending adventure. Originally from Poland, he is a devoted husband and father. Dedicated and enthusiastic to chase all his dreams. Storytelling to entice other families to travel.